lenny

Feelings Detective

user image

Lesson Plan

Feelings Detective Plan

Students will act as ‘Feelings Detectives’ by identifying emotional clues on cards, documenting observations in a notebook, and logging personal emotion clues—building skills in emotional awareness, vocabulary, and self-regulation.

This lesson builds foundational emotional intelligence by teaching first graders to observe, name, and reflect on feelings, improving self-awareness and regulation skills crucial for social-emotional development.

Audience

1st Grade Student

Time

15 minutes

Approach

Hands-on clue analysis and guided reflection.

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

5 minutes

Step 1

Introduction

2 minutes

  • Greet the student and explain the “Feelings Detective” theme.
  • State the session’s goal: find clues to understand emotions.
  • Preview the Clue Cards Presentation Deck.

Step 2

Explore Emotion Clues

4 minutes

  • Show 4–5 cards from the Clue Cards Presentation Deck.
  • Ask the student to describe each card’s visual clues (facial expressions, colors, body language).
  • Have them name the emotion they think each card represents.

Step 3

Detective Notebook Activity

6 minutes

  • Provide the Emotion Detective Notebook.
  • Have the student record each clue and label the related emotion.
  • Encourage drawing a matching facial expression and writing one word to describe the feeling.

Step 4

Clue Log & Reflection

3 minutes

  • Distribute the Emotion Clue Log Worksheet.
  • Ask the student to recall a time they felt one of the emotions and log what clues they noticed in themselves (e.g., fast heartbeat, sweaty palms).
  • Discuss one simple strategy they can use next time to help regulate that emotion.
lenny
0 educators
use Lenny to create lessons.

No credit card needed

Slide Deck

Feelings Detective Clue Cards

Get ready to spot clues—facial expressions, body language, and colors—to guess the emotion!

Welcome the student and introduce the “Feelings Detective” theme. Explain that you will look at special clue cards to figure out different emotions. Prompt: “Let’s be detectives and find the clues!”

Emotion: Happy

Clues:
• Big smile showing teeth
• Bright, relaxed eyes
• Open, upward arm posture
• Warm yellow glow around the person

Show this card and ask: “What do you notice? What clues does this person give?” Guide the student to name the emotion.

Emotion: Sad

Clues:
• Downturned mouth or frown
• Teary or droopy eyes
• Slumped shoulders and bowed head
• Cool blue tint in the background

Ask: “What clues tell you the person is feeling sad?” Encourage noticing body posture and color.

Emotion: Angry

Clues:
• Furrowed brows and glaring eyes
• Tightly clenched fists
• Pressed or straight-line mouth
• Fiery red or orange tones

Prompt: “How do you think this person feels? Look at the fists and color.” Highlight the energy of anger vs. other emotions.

Emotion: Scared

Clues:
• Wide, open eyes and raised eyebrows
• Hunched shoulders and arms close to body
• Slightly open mouth as if gasping
• Pale or grayish background

Encourage the student to describe the posture and color that make this person look scared.

Emotion: Surprised

Clues:
• Raised eyebrows
• Wide-open mouth in an “O” shape
• Hands near face or lifted slightly
• Light pink or neutral glow

Ask: “What surprised you about this expression? Notice the mouth and eyebrows.” Connect to experiences of surprise.

lenny

Activity

Emotion Detective Notebook

Use this page for each clue card you examine. Follow the steps below to record your observations and reflections.

Clue Card Title or Number: ________________________________

  1. List the clues you see on the card (facial expressions, colors, body language):






  1. Which emotion do you think this is? ________________________________
  2. Draw the face showing that emotion:











  1. Write one word to describe this emotion: ________________________________

(Repeat this page for each card you analyze.)

lenny
lenny

Worksheet

Emotion Clue Log Worksheet

Think of a time you felt an emotion. Answer the questions below:

  1. Which emotion did you feel? ________________________________



  1. When did this happen? ________________________________



  1. What clues did you notice in your body? (e.g., fast heartbeat, sweaty palms, tight tummy)






  1. How did you act or what happened next?






  1. What can you do next time to help yourself feel better? (Choose one strategy)




lenny
lenny
Feelings Detective • Lenny Learning